Business, international

Lawmaker in limbo

Article Abstract:

The leader of Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) faces legal action following a debate on health care costs. The SDP's leader, Chee Soon Juan, claimed that state healthcare subsidies had dropped to 5% in 1990 compared with 40% in 1970. He later stated that the 1990 figure was inaccurate due to a typographical error and should have been 25%. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has reacted strongly, and George Yeo, Health Minister, has charged Chee and three other SDP party members with contempt of parliament, which could involve a fine of $35,460.

The UK National Health Service's efforts to establish a competitive primary healthcare market are designed to provide patients with choices concerning alternative healthcare offerings. General practitioners can avoid losing patients to other healthcare providers by learning how patients assess health services. Physicians may also retain existing patients by improving the services patients deem most important.